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Pressure Mounts for FBI Background Check on Hegseth as Confirmation Approaches
Several Republican senators are advocating for access to the FBI’s background investigation regarding Pete Hegseth, the candidate nominated by President-elect Trump for the position of Defense Secretary.
This push from GOP members indicates that Hegseth’s confirmation process may not be as straightforward as his supporters had hoped. Amid concerted efforts by Trump’s administration to rally support among senators over the past weeks, challenges remain.
A congressional aide confirmed to The Hill that “a number” of senators are keen to review the FBI’s findings on Hegseth. Reports have surfaced that a coalition including GOP senators, such as Susan Collins from Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has specifically inquired about the status of Hegseth’s background check.
According to a report by Politico, the Senate Armed Services Committee will oversee Hegseth’s confirmation hearings. Typically, access to FBI background checks is limited to the committee’s top senators—currently Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.). These officials traditionally examine the reports privately, consulting with the administration if they decide to disclose findings to other members.
However, the recent emergence of serious allegations, including claims of sexual assault against Hegseth, alongside reports suggesting issues regarding his behavior with alcohol and mismanagement of funds while leading veterans organizations, has intensified demands for greater transparency from both Reek and Wicker.
Hegseth publicly denies all allegations, particularly one related to a purported sexual assault from a 2017 incident, stating that the encounter was consensual. He has been actively engaging with senators on Capitol Hill in recent weeks, aiming to advocate for his nomination amidst growing scrutiny.
While no Republican senators have overtly opposed Hegseth, there is a noted eagerness among them for increased clarity regarding the allegations against him and past controversial statements, particularly his views on women in combat roles. Senators Collins, Joni Ernst (Iowa), Tillis, and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) are among those seeking further information.
Despite Republicans holding a 53-seat majority in the upcoming Senate, Hegseth can ill afford to lose more than three GOP votes if all Democratic senators and independents oppose his nomination.
Senator Tillis referenced the lengthy process surrounding Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation, indicating that additional evaluations may be necessary: “There’s work to be done,” he noted.
The FBI’s investigation may be expedited to conclude ahead of Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, set for January 14. These background checks typically take several weeks and involve interviews and reviews of an individual’s professional and personal history.
Additionally, at least seven Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee—including Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), and Jacky Rosen (Nev.)—have expressed their desire for more information regarding Hegseth’s perspectives on women in the military and details surrounding prior accusations against him.
In a letter sent to the Trump administration, these senators articulated “deep concerns about whether Pete Hegseth’s attitudes toward women, including allegations of sexual assault and harassment, disqualify him to be the next Secretary of Defense.”
Source
thehill.com